Senior Finance Leader - Higher Ed, AI-Driven Modernization

Soni; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Soni, a leading private higher education institution in New York, seeks an accomplished finance executive to oversee enterprise-wide financial operations. Reporting to the CFO, the candidate will strengthen financial infrastructure, develop high-performing teams, improve systems and processes, and provide strategic financial insight.

Responsibilities include managing accounting, treasury, grants, real estate, audits, and capital planning; driving automation and analytics; and partnering with IT,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required or equally relevant field.
• CPA, CIA, or CMA certification required or equivalent credential.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible finance experience including 5+ years leading teams.
• Significant nonprofit accounting and finance leadership experience.
• Proven ability to partner with executives, boards, auditors and senior stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in financial controls, reporting, treasury and cash management.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and retain high-performing teams with judgment.
• Discretion with confidential information in a high-stakes environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, financial reporting, AP, payroll, purchasing, treasury, grants, and restricted-fund accounting.
• Oversee finance teams supporting multiple campuses and institutional operations.
• Strengthen financial controls, reporting, processes, and service delivery.
• Drive automation, AI, analytics, and technology-enabled improvements.
• Manage external audits, regulatory and tax reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Oversee banking, investments, liquidity, cash management, debt, and relationships.
• Lead financial administration of real estate, leases, capital projects, and related transactions.
• Partner on budgeting and planning—forecasting, modeling, scenario analysis, capital planning.
• Provide oversight of retirement plans, endowment, investments, and governance.
• Collaborate with IT, HR, Legal, and senior administration on ERP systems and risk.
• Develop policies and strengthen institutional risk management.
• Prepare analyses and materials for executive leadership, the Board, and committees.
• Lead special projects and act as trusted financial advisor across the institution.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic financial planning

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Nonprofit accounting

Regulatory & controls

Communication

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA/CIA/CMA certification

MBA or related advanced degree

Tools

Workday Finance

PeopleSoft

Canvas

Job description

Soni, a leading private higher education institution in New York, seeks an accomplished finance executive to oversee enterprise-wide financial operations. Reporting to the CFO, the candidate will strengthen financial infrastructure, develop high-performing teams, improve systems and processes, and provide strategic financial insight.

Responsibilities include managing accounting, treasury, grants, real estate, audits, and capital planning; driving automation and analytics; and partnering with IT,